Despite the relatively small extension of the country, Ecuador is considered one of the richest countries in the world in diversity of species per ecosystem.
This itinerary goes to two of the most diverse regions of Ecuador exploring the different rainforest to try to find some of the most amazing animals living in this country. We will visit the Cloud Forests on the western slopes of the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest.
Despite the relatively small extension of the country, Ecuador is considered one of the richest countries in the world in diversity of species per ecosystem.
This itinerary goes to two of the most diverse regions of Ecuador exploring the different rainforest to try to find some of the most amazing animals living in this country. We will visit the Cloud Forests on the western slopes of the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest.
Details:
Day 01: Quito – Yanacocha – Bellavista (B,L,D)
Day 02: Paz de las aves – Mindo (B,L)
Day 03: Mindo – Silanche– Mindo (B,L)
Day 04: Mindo – Hummingbirds – Quito (B,L)
Day 05: Quito – Amazon Rainforest (B,L,D)
Day 06: Amazon Rainforest (B,L,D)
Day 07: Amazon Rainforest (B,L,D)
Day 08: Amazon Rainforest – Quito (B,L,D)
<p>We start our tour picking you up in the early morning from your hotel in Quito. Our destination today is Bellavista Reserve. We will walk on the trails that the reserve has to offer. Bromeliads and orchids, hummingbirds and tanagers, toucans and antpittas, all view for our attention, and could keep any dedicated naturalist enthused for a lifetime of observation. Add to that, the sense of adventure hiking the forest trails, or deep adventure hiking up streams to reach hidden waterfalls. We will be in the upper montane forest at 2000 meters high (6400 feet).</p><p>In the afternoon we will keep exploring the area walking a different trail or enjoying the hummingbird feeders and the surroundings. Accommodation and meals are included.</p>
<p>This day we will visit “Paz de las Aves” reserve. We will have an early wake up to have the chance to see one of the most amazing wildlife shows in the Cloudforest: The Andean Cock of the Rock Lek. This is an area of display where the Andean Cock of the Rock males congregate to dance, sing and perform in front of the females in order to attract them for mating. After this show, we will walk around the trails of this reserve spotting more wildlife. The person responsible for the reserve, Angel, has trained antpittas to answer to his call so it is possible to have some close views of some of the most difficult birds to observe in nature. We have breakfast in this reserve while enjoying the view of the Cloudforest. </p><p>We will continue to Mindo town where we will visit the biggest Butterfly farm in the area and have lunch. In the afternoon we will go to the upper part of Mindo to explore the forest and enjoy the waterfalls. We will return to the town and the lodge. Accommodation and Lunch are included. Dinner is on your own</p>
<p>We keep moving lower in elevation. This time we are going to visit one reserve called Rio Silanche. A little protected area in the Choco region. We will be approximately at around 800 meters (2500 feet). We will go up to the observation tower found in here and will enjoy the view of the forest and the birds found at the canopy of this forest. We will walk the trails in the area before we head back to Mindo. Today’s lunch will be a pack lunch. At our return to the town you will have time on your own. It is possible to have an evening walk tonight (extra cost apply). Accommodation and Lunch are included. Dinner is on your own</p>
<p>This last day in the Choco Forest we will have an early birdwatching activity around the area of the lodge. We will have breakfast and will visit one hummingbird reserve in our way back to Quito. We will have lunch before returning to hotel. Accommodation and Lunch are included. Dinner is on your own</p>
<p>This day you will visit the amazon region. The flight to Coca city is in the morning so your guide will transfer you from the hotel to the airport to assist you in the check in. After a 30 min flight you will land at Coca city where someone from the lodge you will visit will be waiting for you. After a short ride on the private bus we get to the next part of the journey, a motorized boat ride. The ride will take approximately two hours to two and half hours on the river. After this ride you will have or a short walk and a canoe ride to finally arrive to the lodge. This journey itself is already part of the adventure in the amazon region and many times you will go watching wildlife in the way in to the lodge. </p><p>At the lodge you will receive a briefing from the administration about the lodge and the activities that you will be doing during your stay at the Amazon region. You will also meet the naturalist guide that will be with you for the following days.</p><p>This first evening will be possible to start with one of the night activities offer at the lodge. It can be an evening walk or an evening canoe ride depending on the operation of the lodge.</p>
<p>Breakfast is served early because there is so much to see and do! There are a number of activities that you might do, including a visit to the parrot clay lick, a trip to a local community, or an excursion to the observation tower to see birds and monkeys. The activity you do will depend on many factors, mostly the weather. If you do not wish to do the morning activity, you are under no obligation to do so. Some guests prefer to remain in the lodge and relax. A delicious lunch is served in the dining room at 13:00. After lunch, guests can take a nap or read a book during the hottest hours of the day. Afternoon activities tend to be more low-key than morning ones. You might go for a canoe ride around the lagoon, take a short trail to hopefully see some of the animals living in the amazon. A gourmet dinner awaits in the dining room as afternoon turns into evening. On your last evening, you will be asked to clear up your bill in case you had any extras, such as drinks or a massage. </p>
<p>Breakfast is served early because there is so much to see and do! There are a number of activities that you might do, including a visit to the parrot clay lick, a trip to a local community, or an excursion to the observation tower to see birds and monkeys. The activity you do will depend on many factors, mostly the weather. If you do not wish to do the morning activity, you are under no obligation to do so. Some guests prefer to remain in the lodge and relax. A delicious lunch is served in the dining room at 13:00. After lunch, guests can take a nap or read a book during the hottest hours of the day. Afternoon activities tend to be more low-key than morning ones. You might go for a canoe ride around the lagoon, take a short trail to hopefully see some of the animals living in the amazon. A gourmet dinner awaits in the dining room as afternoon turns into evening. On your last evening, you will be asked to clear up your bill in case you had any extras, such as drinks or a massage. </p>
<p>Although you must depart the lodge early in order to get to Coca in time for your flight, breakfast will be served before you leave. You’ll go out the way you came: a canoe ride, followed by a short walk, and then a two-hour, two and half hour ride on the motorized canoe to Coca. Once you reach Coca, you will be taken to the airport, checked in and directed to the waiting room for your return flight to Quito. At Quito airport you guide will be waiting for you to take you back to the hotel in Quito and finish the tour.</p><p></p><p>Note: This is sample itinerary for the amazon tour. Activities will be organized according to weather conditions, trail capacity and group interests.</p>
The Trip Cost Include
- Certified bilingual guide
- Private transportation for the cloud forest
- Accommodations at lodges in Cloud Forest and Amazon Rainforest
- Accommodation in Quito for day 4 and 8
- Air ticket Quito - Amazon - Quito
- Naturalist and local guide in the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve
- Meals as mentioned
- Entrance fees to private reserves: Yanacocha, Alambi, Paz de las Aves, silanche, Buterfly farm
The Trip Cost Excludes
- Other meals not mentioned
- Drinks and alcoholic drinks
- Tips, gratuities and personal expenses
All the activities are from easy to moderate. However this may change according to weather conditions.
The highest point will be Yanacocha Reserve, located at approximately at 3.300 meters high (10.560 feet high). The lowest point will be the Amazon Rainforest at 280 meters high (900 feet high).
Our guides are Certified Naturalist Guides with extensive experience on the destinations. They have knowledge on flora, fauna and ecology. They speak great English and some of them have knowledge and experience in photography
On this trip we will be changing to different altitudes. For Yanacocha we recommend to wear layers. Temperature ranges during the day between 12 and 21 degrees Celsius (50 – 70 Fahrenheit). During the rainy season (October through May) the Andes are cloudy and humid and it is recommended to bring rain gear. Wear comfortable hiking or walking shoes (if they are water proof will be much better). In the Amazon the altitude is much lower so weather is warm/hot and humid. Light weighed clothes will be good for this part of the trip.
